Obituaries
Wilmena R. Carpenter
Wilmena “Billie” Ruth Carpenter of Charlotte passed away on Monday, April 2, 2018 at the age of 80. Billie was born on August 9, 1937, the daughter of William and Eve (Brown) Lyons in Tacoma, Wash. She was raised, in part, by her grandmother, Edna Brown and attended Auburn Adventist Academy in Auburn, Wash., and attended Pacific Union College. She moved to Royal Oak, Mich. in 1960, then to Clawson, Mich. and eventually to West Branch in the late 1960s. While in West Branch she sold books, worked for a pallet company, drove a school bus and worked as a treasurer for the West Branch Seventh Day Adventist Church. Billie moved to Downers Grove, Ill. for a few years to serve as an infant formula representative before returning to Michigan. She has spent the last 13 years in Charlotte, where she is a member of the Charlotte Seventh Day Adventist Church. Billie loved to travel, she loved people, but most importantly she loved her family. In 2000 Billie set off on an amazing journey to walk Route 66 from Santa Monica, Calif. to Chicago, Ill. to raise funds and gain awareness for birth defects. She completed her journey in about five months traveling an average of 20 miles a day.
Billie is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Ray E. Gardner Jr.; second husband, Herbert Riemann; grandson, Zane Gardner; stepson, Mike Carpenter; stepfather, Raphael Nichols; and son-in-law, Jon Kallioinen.
Surviving are her husband of 13 years, Bruce Carpenter; children, Cindy (Dennis) Kempl, Dean Gardner, Todd (Lynette) Gardner, Julie (Mike) Matyasic; stepchildren, Nancy (Cory) Sheppler, Cathy Kallioinen, Cris Carpenter; grandchildren, Scott Gooch, April Simpson, Wyatt Gardner, Logan Gardner, Sierra Gardner, Savahanna Matyasic, Jeremy Mortenson, Mike Mortenson, Nathan Heinrich, Mandy (Duane) Evans, Mindy (Jonathan) Durner, Tristan Sheppler, Molly Sheppler; great grandchildren, Alexis Simpson, Hunter Simpson, Ashton Rutledge, Brayden Durner, Liam Evans and Gage Evans.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Charlotte Seventh Day Adventist Church.
To share memories or condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Roberta Cartwright
Roberta “Berta” Cartwright, 74, formerly of Charlotte, died peacefully in her sleep on March 10, 2018 in Chevy Chase, Md., after a long illness. She had a sharp, dry sense of humor and will be sorely missed.
She is survived by her ex-husband, Lawrence “Larry” R. Cartwright of Washington, D.C. (formerly of Charlotte); her brother, Richard T. Jamsen; sister-in-law, Jane (Marinelli) Jamsen of Marquette; her daughter, Sarah Cartwright, son-in-law, Scott McDermott Cartwright; and granddaughter, Shan Shan L. Cartwright of Washington, D.C.; and nephew, Kris M Jamsen, his spouse, Michelle, and their daughter, Mae of Melbourne, Australia.
She is predeceased by her sister, Patricia A. Jamsen (in childhood); her father, Richard “Dick” Jamsen of Copper Harbor, Mich.; and her mother, Lillian A. (Johnson) (Jamsen) Richards of Copper Harbor, and Fort Myers Beach, Fla.
Roberta Lynn Jamsen was born Sept. 20, 1943 in Hancock, Mich., to parents, Richard “Dick” and Lillian A. (Johnson) Jamsen. She earned her B.A. in special education from Eastern Michigan University in 1965. “Miss Bert” moved to Bay City where she taught deaf and hard-of-hearing children and was active in community theater. She married Lawrence Robert Cartwright on March 16, 1974, in his hometown of Unionville, Mich. They moved to St Louis, Mo., where they had their only child, daughter Sarah Elisabeth Cartwright. They returned to Michigan in 1976 and lived in Charlotte until 2012. Berta and Larry legally separated in 2012, and Roberta moved to Montgomery County, Md., to be closer to her family.
Roberta’s career and volunteer work focused on early childhood development. She was particularly proud of her position as the home visitation liaison for the early childhood intervention program at Eaton Rapids Public Schools. Roberta’s role was to visit preschoolers and their families in their homes. She truly treasured each relationship and was proud of her colleagues’ teamwork. Roberta retired in 2010.
A memorial open house will be held on Sunday, August 5, 2018, from noon to 4 p.m., hosted by Janet and Dennis Hogan, 2221 Grass Lake Ave, Lake, MI.
Memorial contributions may be made to montgomeryhospice.org, your local hospice, or your local elementary school.
Merlin F. Guilford, Sr.
Merlin F. Guilford, Sr., 93, of Charlotte, died April 1, 2018 in Portland. He was born February 7, 1925 in Mulliken, a son of Russell and Agnes (Holbrook) Guilford. Merlin was an Army veteran of World War II, a P.O.W. and a retired employee of Lindell Drop Forge.
He was preceded in death by his wives, Dorothy and Mary; and his son, Merlin F. Guilford, Jr.
Surviving are his daughters, Brenda Harper, Barbara (Paul) Holland and Janet (Tom) Wohlscheid; nine grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 15 great great-grandchildren; sisters, Faye Foltz, Sue (Bob) Walker and Linda (Pat) Patton; brother, Greg Guilford; several nieces and nephews.
Services were held Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Barker-Leik Funeral Home in Mulliken, with Pastor Ross McElroy officiating. Interment followed at Meadowbrook Cemetery with military honors provided by the U.S. Army and the Portland V.F.W. Pallbearers were Brian Holland, Paul Holland, Jr., Randy Raines, Brian Richards, Scott Webert and Trenton Webert.
Memorial donations may be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice.
Dale Miller
Dale Miller, born December 13, 1948 to Charles, and Betty (Clark) Miller in Hay Springs, Neb., passed away at his home in Bellevue on March 10, 2018.
He grew up on the family farm in Hastings and attended Durfee (One room) School House. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1967. Dale married the love of his life, Cynthia Lou (Smith) on April 28, 1969. They were blessed with three children, Shane, Tammy and Merrie.
He was a Journeyman Sprinkler Fitter (Penn. State) for over 45 years. He was a hard worker and could just about fix anything, and get it done. Over the years he built his own house, was the Baltimore Township Supervisor (Hastings) during the 197’s. He was a State- Hastings High School Wrestler, played on many company ball teams, raised cattle, and hogs (with twin brother “Don”), assisted with coaching wrestling, trained/rode horses, gave roping lessons, and enjoyed the outdoors.
Dale’s passion was Team Roping, which he won many awards for over the years. Also, he was on the board, and belonged to the M.R.A (Michigan Ropers Association). He was an avid reader, and considered a lifelong learner. He particularly enjoyed playing cards “Mississippi Stud,” doing crossword puzzles, mushroom hunting, and camping/ horseback with wife Cindy, and friends for years.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert, Donald (twin), Ronald, and recently oldest brother Gerald Miller.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Cynthia of Bellevue; sister, Charlene (Daniel) Cheney; sisters-in-law, Christine, Linda, and Lorna Miller all of Hastings; sister-on-law, Diane, and Valery Miller; son, Shane (Joan) Miller all of Battle Creek; daughters, Tammy (Scott) Flower of Charlotte, and Merrie Miller of Bellevue; eight grandchildren, Brooke, Cash, Heath and Clay Flower. Sarah, Olivia, Brayden (Degris), and Luke Miller; many special nieces, nephews, and good friends.
In recent retirement, Dale liked making “Lucky’s” wine, canning, helping his brother Gerald on the family farm, growing flowers, and watching his grandchildren play sports, as well as horse events.
He will be remembered most for his quick wit, and his determined spirit. He voiced his great appreciation for being given a good life. Dale went home to be with his lord and savior with his loving family by his side on March 10, 2018.
There will be a “Celebration of Life” memorial service in his honor for family and friends on April 28, 2018 at his home in Bellevue at 4 p.m. You can find details for the celebration on Facebook @ Dale Miller Celebration of Life/Memorial
Memorial contributions can be made to the Michigan Ropers Association in Dale’s honor in memory of his love of Team Roping and particularly Novice/Youth classes. Donation information: M.R.A. Office, 12100 Fairbanks Rd., Linden, MI 48451 (Send note designating who donation is for), or contact 810-223-4045.
William J. Morey
William “Bill” Joseph Morey, a jack of all trades and loving family man, died unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. Bill, 56, of Hastings, was born September 6, 1961 in Charlotte, the son of Joseph and Mary (Williams) Morey. He graduated from Charlotte High School before marrying Johanna “Joni” Royston on April 24, 1982 in Charlotte. The two moved to Freeport to start their family and Bill took a job with the City of East Grand Rapids, working as a foreman at the city garage, and as a reserve police officer for the village of Freeport. He received the Freeport reserve officer of the year for his efforts in stopping a bank robbery.
Bill loved time spent with family in the outdoors, especially fall salmon fishing up north along the Manistee River. He loved fishing, hunting, working on his cars and trucks, and racing. Bill built the cars for the county fair races for his son, Joe, to drive, and sometimes wreck. Bill coached his kid’s sports teams and would do anything to help others and lend a helping hand. Above all, Bill loved time spent with his family and friends, especially his best pals, his grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife of 35 years, Joni; daughter, Kari (Dustin) VonItter; son, Joe (Kimberly) Morey; six grandchildren, Wyatt, Hazel and Josie VonItter, and Carter, Ethan and Levi Morey; parents, Joe and Mary Morey; brother, Don (Jan) Morey; and his mother and father-in-law, Joan and Duane Royston; siblings-in-law, Arvid and Katie Salisbury and Greg and Marilyn Royston; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the New Faith Church of the Nazarene in Charlotte with Bill’s father-in-law, Pastor Duane Royston officiating. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 6, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Johanna Morey. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Bill on his Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com.